Showing papers on "Special relativity (alternative formulations) published in 2020"
Book•
01 Jan 2020
118 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors revisited the definition of thermal equilibrium, in its operational formulation, provided by standard thermodynamics, and proposed an extension of this definition which is manifestly covariant and can be applied to the study of isolated systems in special relativity.
Abstract: We critically revisit the definition of thermal equilibrium, in its operational formulation, provided by standard thermodynamics. We show that it refers to experimental conditions which break the covariance of the theory at a fundamental level and that, therefore, it cannot be applied to the case of moving bodies. We propose an extension of this definition which is manifestly covariant and can be applied to the study of isolated systems in special relativity. The zeroth law of thermodynamics is, then, proven to establish an equivalence relation among bodies which have not only the same temperature, but also the same center of mass four-velocity.
19 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the frequency shift of a photon radially exchanged between two observers located on Earth and on a satellite in circular orbit in the equatorial plane has been investigated to further test Einstein's General Relativity and constrain extended theories of gravity.
Abstract: We propose a high precision satellite experiment to further test Einstein’s General Relativity and constrain extended theories of gravity. We consider the frequency shift of a photon radially exchanged between two observers located on Earth and on a satellite in circular orbit in the equatorial plane. In General Relativity there exists a peculiar satellite-distance at which the static contribution to the frequency shift vanishes since the effects induced by pure gravity and special relativity compensate, while it can be non-zero in modified gravities, like in models with screening mechanisms. As an experimental device placed on the satellite we choose a system of hydrogen atoms which can exhibit the 1 s spin-flip transition from the singlet (unaligned proton-electron spins) to the triplet (aligned proton-electron spins) state induced by the absorption of photons at 21.1 cm. The observation of an excited state would indicate that the frequency of the emitted and absorbed photon remains unchanged according to General Relativity. On the contrary, a non-zero frequency shift, as predicted in extended theories of gravity, would prevent the spin-flip transition and the hydrogen atoms from jumping into the excited state. Such a detection would signify a smoking-gun signature of new physics beyond special and general relativity.
13 citations
TL;DR: This review article review studies that led to the discovery that the Lorentz group SO(m, n) forms the symmetry group by which a multi-particle system of m entangled n-dimensional particles can be understood in an extended sense of relativistic settings.
Abstract: A Lorentz transformation group SO(m, n) of signature (m, n), m, n ∈ N, in m time and n space dimensions, is the group of pseudo-rotations of a pseudo-Euclidean space of signature (m, n). Accordingly, the Lorentz group SO(1, 3) is the common Lorentz transformation group from which special relativity theory stems. It is widely acknowledged that special relativity and quantum theories are at odds. In particular, it is known that entangled particles involve Lorentz symmetry violation. We, therefore, review studies that led to the discovery that the Lorentz group SO(m, n) forms the symmetry group by which a multi-particle system of m entangled n-dimensional particles can be understood in an extended sense of relativistic settings. Consequently, we enrich special relativity by incorporating the Lorentz transformation groups of signature (m, 3) for all m ≥ 2. The resulting enriched special relativity provides the common symmetry group SO(1, 3) of the (1 + 3)-dimensional spacetime of individual particles, along with the symmetry group SO(m, 3) of the (m + 3)-dimensional spacetime of multi-particle systems of m entangled 3-dimensional particles, for all m ≥ 2. A unified parametrization of the Lorentz groups SO(m, n) for all m, n ∈ N, shakes down the underlying matrix algebra into elegant and transparent results. The special case when (m, n) = (1, 3) is supported experimentally by special relativity. It is hoped that this review article will stimulate the search for experimental support when (m, n) = (m, 3) for all m ≥ 2.
11 citations
06 Jan 2020
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an analysis of students' use of rules of thumb in their written solutions to homework problems, and they find that students draw upon time rules, length rules and relativity rules to solve the twin paradox.
Abstract: Special relativity is both exciting and challenging in that it requires developing new intuitions about relativistic situations. How can we help students make sense of special relativity when their intuitions are classical? This paper will discuss student sensemaking about special relativity in a sophomore-level course designed to explicitly teach and support physics sensemaking. The course particularly emphasizes two sensemaking strategies: visualization with spacetime diagrams and the development of rules of thumb. Rules of thumb, like “proper time is the shortest time,” serve as footholds when solving problems in special relativity. Specifically, we present an analysis of students’ use of rules of thumb in their written solutions to homework problems. We found that students draw upon time rules, length rules, and relativity rules to solve the Twin Paradox. We also discuss how rules of thumb fit with other theoretical constructs.
7 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors established a common framework for the physics of clocks in these different situations and showed that clocks at various locations in the gravitational field also read differently, and this fact is explained by general relativity, which is in general, not Lorentz transformable.
Abstract: 20th century physics experimentally established beyond doubt the fact that moving clocks read differently from “static” clocks. This fact is typically interpreted as support for special relativity. On the other hand, the same century produced proof that clocks at various locations in the gravitational field also read differently, and this fact is explained by general relativity, which is, in general, not Lorentz transformable. This paper establishes a common framework for the physics of clocks in these different situations.
7 citations
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors retrace an ab initio relativistic derivation of Maxwell's equations that was developed by Feynman in unpublished notes, clarifying the analogies and the differences with analogous treatments present in the literature.
Abstract: We retrace an ab initio relativistic derivation of Maxwell's equations that was developed by Feynman in unpublished notes, clarifying the analogies and the differences with analogous treatments present in the literature. Unlike the latter, Feynman's approach stands out because it considers electromagnetic potentials as primary, reflecting his ideas about the quantum foundations of electromagnetism. Some considerations about the foundations of special relativity, which are naturally suggested by this approach, are given in appendix.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors revisited the definition of thermal equilibrium, in its operational formulation, provided by standard thermodynamics, and proposed an extension of this definition which is manifestly covariant and can be applied to the study of isolated systems in special relativity.
Abstract: We critically revisit the definition of thermal equilibrium, in its operational formulation, provided by standard thermodynamics. We show that it refers to experimental conditions which break the covariance of the theory at a fundamental level and that, therefore, it cannot be applied to the case of moving bodies. We propose an extension of this definition which is manifestly covariant and can be applied to the study of isolated systems in special relativity. The zeroth law of thermodynamics is, then, proven to establish an equivalence relation among bodies which have not only the same temperature, but also the same center of mass four-velocity.
5 citations
01 Jan 2020
TL;DR: In this article, the similarity between Wittgenstein's use of thought experiments and Relativity Theory is discussed, and three analogies between the status of mental experiments and RELativity theory are suggested: time dilation, the search for invariants, and the role of measuring tools in Special Relativity.
Abstract: In this paper, I discuss the similarity between Wittgenstein’s use of thought experiments and Relativity Theory. I begin with introducing Wittgenstein’s idea of “thought experiments” and a tentative classification of different kinds of thought experiments in Wittgenstein’s work. Then, after presenting a short recap of some remarks on the analogy between Wittgenstein’s point of view and Einstein’s, I suggest three analogies between the status of Wittgenstein’s mental experiments and Relativity theory: the topics of time dilation, the search for invariants, and the role of measuring tools in Special Relativity. This last point will help to better define Wittgenstein’s idea of description as the core of his philosophical enterprise.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review the process by which Einstein founded the theory of relativity, consider Einstein's perspective on physics and examine the relationship between our new perspective and Einstein's viewpoint.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show how the result of an erroneous experiment and the lack of understanding of the basic laws of Newtonian mechanics and its application diverted the progress of an important branch of theoretical physics from its true path and led to the creation of the theory of relativity.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to show how the result of an erroneous experiment and the lack of understanding of the basic laws of Newtonian mechanics and its application diverted the progress of an important branch of theoretical physics from its true path and led to the creation of
the theory of relativity (SR). Every year, many new papers regarding this theory are published that show its many contradictions and anomalies. This paper shows why Einstein's theory of relativity is theoretically and fundamentally incorrect and why, despite its problems, the theory gives
some empirical predictions. A more logical solution based on Newtonian mechanics and on experiments and observations plus the concept of ether, leading to the same results, is proposed. As an example, mass-energy equivalence E
≅ m c 2 is derived to show that Newtonian mechanics
is adequate in the domain of high-speed particles. The derivation in this paper is by a similar technique to what has been previously published by the same author but with a different method of calculation. The paper also shows that SR does not explain, as claimed by Einstein, the null result
of the Michelson and Morley experiment, which is the basis for the theory. It explains why the error in the experiment is hidden and difficult to detect. It also gives more information about the three previously published papers by the same author and endeavors to give a more comprehensive
explanation as to what went wrong in this branch of theoretical physics.
Book•
14 Sep 2020
TL;DR: Einstein originally declared that the distortions of special relativity reflect real changes to the objects being remotely observed, then reconsidered as mentioned in this paper, and the first non sequitur is quoted here from Sachs.
Abstract: Einstein originally declared that the distortions of special relativity reflect real changes to the objects being remotely observed, then reconsidered. The first non sequitur is quoted here from Sachs
TL;DR: In this paper, a new redshift formula was obtained considering the longitudinal Doppler effect in the de Sitter expanding universe where the relative geodesic motion is governed by the Lorenzian isometries of our new deSitter relativity.
Abstract: A new redshift formula is obtained considering the longitudinal Doppler effect in the de Sitter expanding universe where the relative geodesic motion is governed by the Lorenzian isometries of our new de Sitter relativity [I. I. Cot\u aescu, {Eur. Phys. J. C} {\bf 77} (2017) 485]. This formula combines in a non-trivial manner the well-known cosmological contribution given by Lama\' itre's law with that of the relative motion of the source with respect to a fixed observer as in de Sitter relativity instead of special relativity. Other related quantities as the dispersion relation, the propagation time of the photon and the real distance between source and observer at the moment of observation are discussed pointing out their specific features in the de Sitter relativity.
TL;DR: In this paper, the solution to the problem of symmetric collision of two relativistic shock waves is given and limiting cases are investigated: Newtonian mechanics and ultrarelativistic mechanics.
Abstract: The solution to the problem of symmetric collision of two relativistic shock waves is given and limiting cases are investigated: Newtonian mechanics and ultrarelativistic mechanics. The results are correlated with the presence of known superclusters and "walls" in the Universe.
TL;DR: In this article, the significance of the Euler-Lagrange equations of a quantum particle is analysed. And it is proved that inconsistencies in the electroweak theory stem from negligence of the latter point.
Abstract: The successful results of the relativistic form of a quantum field theory that is derived from a Lagrangian density justify its general usage. The significance of the Euler-Lagrange equations of a quantum particle is analysed. Many advantages of this approach, like abiding by the conservation laws of energy, momentum, angular momentum, and charge are well known. The merits of this approach also include other properties that are still not well known. For example, it is shown that a quantum function of the form ψ(t, r) describes a pointlike particle. Furthermore, the Lagrangian density and the Hamiltonian density take a different relativistic form – the Lagrangian density is a Lorentz scalar, whereas the Hamiltonian density is the T 00 component of the energy-momentum tensor. It is proved that inconsistencies in the electroweak theory stem from negligence of the latter point.
01 Jan 2020
TL;DR: Privileged-perspective realism (PPR) is a version of metaphysical realism that takes certain irreducibly perspectival facts to be partly constitutive of reality.
Abstract: Privileged-perspective realism (PPR) is a version of metaphysical realism that takes certain irreducibly perspectival facts to be partly constitutive of reality. PPR asserts that there is a single metaphysically privileged standpoint from which these perspectival facts obtain. This chapter discusses several views that fall under the category of privileged-perspective realism. These include presentism, which is PPR about tensed facts, and non-multiverse interpretations of quantum mechanics, which the chapter argues, constitute PPR about world-indexed facts. Using the framework of the bird perspective and the frog perspective, it argues that PPR views are motivated by the assumption that the frog perspective is metaphysically primary. The chapter considers case studies of metaphysical interpretations of special relativity and quantum mechanics in order to demonstrate that such motivations for PPR are non-naturalistic. It considers psychological factors that motivate the appeal of PPR views and offers naturalistic explanations of why we should not expect them to lead to good metaphysics of science.
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In this article, the problem of observing motion under finite signal speed has been revisited and an alternative formulation of special relativity has been proposed, which complies with Kishori's axioms, reproduces the so far proven results, and also predicts new experimentally verifiable phenomena.
Abstract: The Current framework of special relativity is shown to transform the unique time of a frame to many illusory times in the other frame that cannot be associated with any real clock. So, we revisit relativity as a problem of observing motion under finite signal speed. Kishori’s axioms are developed for avoiding undesirable effects of finite signal speed from creeping into cross-frame measurements. The illusory transformed time and the relativity of simultaneity are shown as the undesirable effects of finite signal speed that creep into the current framework. A methodology is developed here to directly test the simultaneity of relativity experimentally, which is often deduced indirectly despite being directly testable. This study lays down the foundation of an alternative formulation of relativity that complies with Kishori’s axioms besides the two famous postulates of relativity, reproduces the so far proven results, and also predicts new experimentally verifiable phenomena.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that the ontology of time licensed by perspectival realism is more credible in this context than its current alternative, the fragmentalist interpretation of special relativity.
Abstract: Eternalism is the view that all times are equally real. The relativity of simultaneity in special relativity backs this up. There is no cosmically extended, self-existing 'now'. This leads to a tricky problem. What makes statements about the present true? I shall approach the problem along the lines of perspectival realism and argue that the choice of the perspective does. To corroborate this point, the Lorentz transformations of special relativity are compared to the structurally similar equations of the Doppler effect. The 'now' is perspectivally real in the same way as a particular electromagnetic spectrum frequency. I also argue that the ontology of time licensed by perspectival realism is more credible in this context than its current alternative, the fragmentalist interpretation of special relativity.
TL;DR: All solutions of the generalized Cauchy–Riemann system which describes analogues of holomorphic functions in the (1+2)-dimensional scator space are obtained.
Abstract: Scators form a vector space endowed with a non-distributive product, in the hyperbolic case, have physical applications related to some deformations of special relativity (breaking the Lorentz symmetry) while the elliptic case leads to new examples of hypercomplex numbers and related notions of holomorphicity. Until now, only a few particular cases of scator holomorphic functions have been found. In this paper we obtain all solutions of the generalized Cauchy–Riemann system which describes analogues of holomorphic functions in the (1+2)-dimensional scator space.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed and fitted cosmological models, stemming from the extension of the "special relativity with a privileged frame" to general relativity (GR), to the observational data.
Abstract: Cosmological models, stemming from the extension of the “special relativity (SR) with a privileged frame” to general relativity (GR), are developed and fitted to the observational data. The framewo...
Posted Content•
TL;DR: This paper succeeds to lay down the foundation of such a framework that adopts relativity of spatial concurrence, and contains relativistic non-localization, exhibiting quantum physical attributes as an inherent aspect of relativity.
Abstract: The unique time of a frame does not transform to a unique time of the other frame under the current framework of special relativity, which is accepted as an inherent principle called the simultaneity of relativity. In our first paper ‘Rudiments of relativity revisited’, a setup is devised to show how these transformed times can be illusory and can not be associated with any real clock. This endeavor is an investigation if it is possible to develop an alternative mathematical framework of special relativity under the same two postulates but guided by Kishori’s axioms, which directly relates the unique times of the two frames. This paper succeeds to lay down the foundation of a framework that adopts the relativity of spatial concurrence replacing the relativity of simultaneity. Further, this new formulation asserts the relativistic non-localization of particles like photons, exhibiting quantum physical attributes as an inherent aspect of relativity.
TL;DR: In this paper, the flat limits of the scalar and spinor fields on the de Sitter expanding universe are considered in the rest frame vacuum where the frequencies are separated in rest frames as in special relativity.
Abstract: The problem of the flat limits of the scalar and spinor fields on the de Sitter expanding universe is considered in the rest frame vacuum where the frequencies are separated in rest frames as in special relativity. The phases of the fundamental solutions of these fields are regularized in order to obtain Minkowskian flat limits. New expressions of scalar mode functions or Dirac spinors reaching natural flat limits are given in the rest frame vacuum and suitable approximate formulas are proposed. In this manner the flat limit is correctly defined for the entire quantum theory since the one-particle operators tend to those of special relativity.
TL;DR: The authors argued that the A-Theory and the general relativity are not compatible and gave good reasons to reject the A -Theory, even though strict inconsistency was not that reason.
Abstract:
Neither special nor general relativity make any use of a notion of absolute simultaneity. Since A-Theories about time do make use of such a notion, it is natural to suspect that relativity and A-Theory are inconsistent. Many authors have argued that they are in fact not inconsistent, and I agree with that diagnosis here. But that doesn’t mean, as these authors seem to think, that A-Theory and relativity are happy bedfellows. I argue that relativity gives us good reason to reject the A-Theory, even though strict inconsistency isn’t that reason.
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TL;DR: In this article, a 4D transformation of general Rindler space time from 4D Lorentz transformation in inertial frames was discovered. But this transformation was not considered in this paper.
Abstract: In special relativity theory , we discover 4 dimensional transformation of general Rindler space time from 4 dimensional Lorentz transformation in inertial frames.
Abstract: We consider a problem of finding the maximum attainable energy at a cyclotron as an exercise in the introductory relativity course and comment on some subtle points of the solution.
TL;DR: In this article, the photon rest mass is estimated using potential dependent special relativity, which has been used to solve the nature and origin of the photon and elementary rest masses in physics, and the results obtained show that the rest mass of photons and elementary particles are strongly dependent on the vacuum energy.
Abstract: The
nature and origin of the photon and elementary rest masses are some of the
challeng-ing problems that physics face. The approaches used to solve these
problems are complex and time-consuming. Specifically, the photon rest mass
pays attention to theoretical physi-cists. Many experimental works show that the
photon rest mass is non zero. This problem can be solved using generalized
potential dependent special relativity, which has been de-rived using simple
arguments, and Maxwell’s equations, besides the conventional Einstein
energy-momentum relation. The results obtained show that the rest mass of
photons and elementary particles are strongly dependent on the vacuum energy
and a universal con-stant. This result conforms with the models that predict
time decaying vacuum energy as-sociated with production of smaller rest mass
particles followed by larger masses. The two potential dependent mass
expressions conform with the cosmological models that suggest the photon is
generated first by assuming the universe consisting of total constant vacuum
with decaying cosmological part and mass generating part. Using Maxwell’s
equations, beside plank and De Broglie hypothesis together with special
relativity energy-momentum relation the photon rest mass is estimated. It was
shown that the photon rest mass is ex-tremely small compared to the electron
mass.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the relation of inertial frames' accelerations was discovered in special relativity theory and it was shown that general state of the relation between inertial frame's accelerations can be understood.
Abstract: In special relativity theory, we discover the relation of inertial frames’ accelerations. In this theory, we can understand general state of the relation of inertial frames’ accelerations